homeschool

We continue to be amazed by the generosity of many educational companies as they provide virtual learning for families. Your educational facilitators are working hard to provide you with a list of these opportunities, and the full list can be viewed here.

Are your learners fascinated by extreme weather or crazy about reptiles? Do they want to know more about their state or outer space? Learners can start watching, reading, and exploring today with TrueFlix.

High school learners are required to take core academic classes along with some electives, depending on their particular graduation path. Elective classes are a way to prepare them for the working world and impress colleges with their transcripts. But above all, these classes can make a huge difference in their lives.

Elective classes provide a lot of room for personalization and creativity. iLEAD’s approved vendors offer our high schoolers a buffet of choices. Our learners can customize their elective classes based on their interests. Here are some examples:

Brain Builders in Laguna and Tustin have lots of STEM options like engineering, woodshop, robotics, and computer 2D animation. Here is their schedule for 2019-20.

Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an extracurricular activity in which learners typically role-play delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. Click here to learn more. Our vendor Urban Homeschoolers offers MUN at their LA center.

Nautical Studies at Sea Base: Are you interested in sailing, scuba diving, rustic camping on an undeveloped barrier island, fishing, or a combination of these? Learn more about the programs offered here.

Valley Trails Native American Field Study

At Valley Trails in Castaic, learners enjoyed learning about the Chumash Native Americans by making paintbrushes out of a yucca plant, making paint from charcoal, beading shell necklaces, grinding corn, going inside a Chumash house, and playing traditional Chumash games. A good time was had by all!

Mt. Wilson Field Study

Learners had an engaging, informative, and fun STEM-filled day with teachers and astrophysicists up at Mt. Wilson. They attended several lessons about the many solar telescopes atop the mountain, the various discoveries made there, and the geology of the area.

The Gentle Barn Field Study

Learners had a wonderful time learning about animal rescue and care at The Gentle Barn. This field trip teaches young people how to lovingly care for animals of all types and sizes.

From hugging cows to feeding horses to holding chickens, our learners experienced firsthand why it is important to treat animals with dignity.

International Printing Museum Field Study

What an amazing experience our learners had at the International Printing Museum in Carson. This museum has one of the largest, most comprehensive collections of antique printing machines in the world, and our learners had the opportunity to see these brought to life through interactive activities and animated stories provided by the museum docents. Learners also had the chance to participate in a lively debate by reenacting the Constitutional Convention.

Attention, volunteers! If you are looking for a way to give back, there are many places and organizations that would appreciate and need what you have to offer! Visit Volunteer Match for endless opportunities to match your interest, age, and abilities. Here are just a few!

Los Angeles County –California Hospital Medical Center: Do you have a musical talent? California Hospital Medical Center is looking for people to share their musical talents. Share your voice, strings, keyboard, or other instrument and bring entertainment and comfort to the hospital environment. Whether a group concert in the lobby or a solo performance at the bedside of a patient, they welcome your talent and generosity! Call 213-742-5707 for more information, or visit California Hospital Medical Center.

Los Angeles County – Foothill Unity Center: Each year, many individuals and groups from local schools, businesses, and service organizations donate items and volunteer time to the Foothill Unity Center’s annual Thanksgiving and Holiday Distribution Programs conducted at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. At the holiday distribution party, families receive huge holiday food boxes, as well as new toys and clothing for their children. Please join in the fun and sign up online.

Orange County –Kidworks: Kidworks in Santa Ana welcomes volunteers willing to help learners in their after-school program. Spending an hour or two a week with kindergarteners through 12th graders can make a difference in their world. You will support youth by helping them with their homework and other educational needs. You don’t need any specific academic knowledge, just a desire to be a consistent presence in a child or teen’s life. Must be 14 and up. Visit Kidworks.

San Bernardino County – The Upland Public Library: Self-motivated individuals can devote a small portion of their time to serve the community and help out with the needs of the Upland Public Library. Duties include shelving library materials, cleaning library bookshelves, and keeping books in order, assisting with donation drop-offs, assisting with story time, and so much more! For more information, visit Upland Public Library.

Gratitude is a crucial aspect of every learner’s educational environment. When the Duran family made the switch from their neighborhood school to homeschooling, they found out just how much an attitude of gratitude affected not only everyone’s learning experience, but also their days together.

This dynamic family is always on the move with their creative third grader, Jalseen, who is always dreaming up stories or making crafts, acting as the leading lady in musical theater, and reading. First grader Julian, the engineer and builder, always has a new idea for an invention or LEGO creation. Jade, the littlest Duran, is not quite old enough to join iLEAD Exploration, but she is always participating in the adventures and learning.

Some of the ways that the Durans have kept gratitude as a focus have been through the creation of a kindness chart. This chart allows them to reward each other by showing gratitude to one another for choosing kindness.

This lovely family also enhances their handwriting and writing practice by sending thank-you notes to family and friends. They love to encourage and show gratitude for the people in their lives by creating art and giving away toys to friends and neighbors who will enjoy them.

The Durans have learned that giving presents isn’t the only way to say thank you to friends and family. They know it is also important to be cheerful and to give others a feeling of happiness. Making others feel special has expanded their thinking to even more creative ways to show gratitude! The Durans have shared that this focus on gratitude has really impacted every aspect of their homeschool day.

November 11 is a commemorative day to salute all the men and women who have protected our country! Please take a moment to recognize and thank someone in your life who has spent time in military service. In honor of these heroes, many organizations are offering special discounts and free meals to military families. Additionally, here are some local events to honor veterans!

Did you know that there are endless educational opportunities right in your community? Many organizations have designated special days throughout the year to support homeschool families. Homeschool days are a great way to expose your learner to enrichment experiences for free or discounted rates. We have put together a list of some of these days that are happening in your area during the month of October. For more information, please visit their website or contact the venue directly.

iLEAD Exploration learners had a wonderful visit to the Discovery Cube! Learners started this field trip with a presentation on predicting forces. Then they were off to explore the museum and participate in the hands-on exhibits. They had the opportunity to learn about the math and science behind the game of hockey. Some decided to race against others to sort recyclables and other waste materials. Using a touch-screen tablet, learners went on a scavenger hunt to inspect a home to see if it was earthquake proof and energy efficient. There was so much to see and do, and everyone had a great time exploring!